Fresh Start February

The new year has been here for a month already and by now my routines have started. I’ve settled into some habits after that wonderful time between Christmas and New Year where I didn’t know what day or time it was and now it’s back to it. In saying that, January was the first time in a very long time I didn’t work as much at my second job and took a break. With friend’s weddings, birthdays and other events it was busy but nice to know I didn’t have to rush. I didn’t have to rush from work to events. I didn’t have to rush into any new goals or resolutions. I even got around to the “I’ll clean, sort and organise my filing cabinet one day” task that has been on my list for many years.

I feel like as my primary job will probably gather pace and momentum throughout the year now is a good time to look at using that “fresh start feeling” of a new month (many use the new year) to hone in on how to reset and clear my mind and focus on my goals.

Sometimes it doesn't even need to be waves, just sitting by the water will do

Let’s start with the reset shall we. You know that feeling when you just sit and watch the waves at the beach? You're able to just breathe, relax and feel reset. That's my aim.

For me I like a clean space to start with. I have already sorted through, cleaned, dusted and organised my physical workspace but I need to do that with my virtual work and personal spaces. That is to say my laptop and my phone.

Below I have listed what I need to do on both devices to give me a clean slate.

How to declutter some digital working spaces

And while we're at it, why not look at some achievable goals for this year. I have four main categories that I pick something very simple to do for each of them. They are Fun or Personal, Career, Financial and Health.

The Fun Goal

Continue this blog. I enjoy writing and developing my skills. I also like to show pretty pictures to people and be like "Hey...travel..." I feel like personally it will help develop a writing style and it's just something different that I can sink into for a little while.

Other ideas for a fun goal cold be: learn a new language, learn how to play guitar, paint once a week, eat at a different cuisine restaurants, plan a holiday, take more photos, journal more, make time to spend with friends, go to a weird class just because. The list can go on and on. Just pick something that you are interested in, not necessarily something that is mandatory.

Career Goal

Use one day a month to keep my resume/cv updated. For me I think this will work better if I do it the last day of each month. Rather than getting to the end of the year, or when a job comes up I wish to apply for and realising I haven't updated my CV in two years. If I use just one day to a month, even to update one bullet point on it it well help in the long run

Other ideas: finish your course or degree, work up the courage to email those you would like to work with, read a book and implement strategies on your chosen career, make an effort to network, finish a project, find a way to get into your desired career or out of your current job, make an effort to focus on one task at a time, make an effort to be productive.

Financial goal

Technically I have two goals here one is for a much longer term goal. For this year I have another certain amount I would like to save for (hopefully) two trips to go on this year. To do this I will need to divide my pay by percentages each time I get paid (as my income fluctuated depending on how many days of work I get) and put them into the correct account. Also to not touch these funds so they can gain some sort of interest.

Other ideas: pay of a debt, have a savings goal, make an effort to put $10 into a savings account each week, go and see a financial advisor, have a frugal week or month, challenge yourself to a no spend week once a month

Fitness/Health Goal

Meal prep at least 8 healthy meals that I can freeze and use for the “I’m too tired to care” moments I know I will have in about 1-2 months.

Other ideas: Work out once, twice, thrice a week, make one healthy choice at each meal, eat more vegetables, incorporate strength training, incorporate cardio, cook more at home, find a way to be more active at work, focus on you mental health (see someone), meditate, train to run 5km.

A goal can be anything you want it to be. For me, while I have long term goals, the above are my simple easy to follow and achievable ones. When I complete these ones, or feel like I have a good habit going for them, then I will start to look at some other ones.

Cleaning my workspaces (both physical and digital) and defining my goals are helping to get that "fresh start feeling". It's making me feel like I've cleared my head through watching the waves.

Until next time,

Create Live Seek